Prime Minister and New Democracy (ND) party President Costas Karamanlis
asked for an "explicit and clear mandate" from Greek voters so that
"with safety and stability, armed with the confidence of the Greeks, we
can advance faster and more decisively on the road of changes and
reforms," during his address at an election rally in the Macedonian
city of Serres on Friday evening.

Outlining his party's priorities, Karamanlis said that these were
"support for our fellow citizens who experienced destruction and the
reconstruction of the wildfire-stricken regions. We have prepared and
we are implementing, with the support of the Greeks, an integrated
reconstruction and development plan. We are forging ahead with speedy
paces and we are forging ahead responsibly."

Focusing on his priorities further, the prime minister underlined that
they are the continuation of changes and reforms to "enable the
transition to a state that the citizens need and demand, a state that
will be more effective, more productive and more responsible."

Karamanlis further said that considerable steps were taken during the
past 3.5 years. Longstanding pending issues were resolved, many
procedures were simplified, bureaucracy was curbed and arrangements
were enacted which promote transparency and serve public interest.

"We are more than ready now for new decisive and firm steps. We are
determined to continue with a new pace changes at all levels of the
state, in all the sectors of central administration, of
decentralisation, of local administration," he said.

Karamanlis then attacked the main opposition PASOK party, without
naming it, saying that "the cries of populism and of demagoguery will
not disorientate us. No matter how much abuse they will use, no matter
how many lies will be used by those who express the past, we shall not
follow them."

Elaborating once again on his priorities, Karamanlis referred to a
"substantive strengthening of the social state of fairness." He noted
that things are changing and the departure from the excessive deficit
process paves the way for high growth rates to be achieved.

He included a solution to the social security issue among his
priorities, making the commitment to have a dialogue begin immediately
with all political forces and all social agencies to "achieve a modern,
fair and viable system".

The prime minister also spoke of the continuation of educational reform
"to enable us all together to create the school of the future, to make
our country a centre of education and culture for the entire region,
for us to secure for young women and young men the qualifications
required by the new era."

Karamanlis made special reference to strengthening the economy further.
He said that for the first time a new governance succeeded in
decreasing the fiscal deficit and at the same time reducing tax rates
and increasing national income, as well as increasing the real
remuneration of working people.

He also added that emphasis is being placed on developing the
countryside, where 80 percent of national and European Union funds from
the national strategic framework for the new period being programmed is
being directed.

Lastly, Karamanlis said that many important things were achieved during
the 3.5 years that have passed, but many things have yet to be done.

"Our will to continue without postponements is firm. Our readiness to
defend the interests of the many is firm and unshakeable, our
responsibility towards our country and the Greeks is strong and
unalterable, we have put Greece on a course that must be continued,"
the prime minister concluded.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga
addressed a rally in the Peloponnese city of Patra on Friday evening,
criticising the two mainstream New Democracy (ND) and PASOK parties and
adding that "a powerful KKE is better than strengthened bipartisan
rule."

Papariga said that "to the artificial dilemma set by the prime minister
and to the artificial dilemma leaked by PASOK, we reply: one is the
real dilemma, weak bipartisan rule and strong people or weak people and
strong bipartisan rule."

The KKE leader further noted that both parties "do not want
instability, since they have assumed responsibilities towards big
capital, particularly the phase of utilising the 4th Community Support
Framework, they have commitments towards NATO and the United States."

Papariga also stressed that "it is better if they fear us and feel
insecure than we fear them and we feel insecure. A strong KKE is better
than strengthened bipartisan rule."

Lastly, Papariga called on her audience to support KKE's election
tickets and to vote against "all those who have led the working people
to a deadlock."